KUPENDA FOR THE CHILDREN
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Mission Statement
Kupenda (“love” in Kiswahili) for the Children transforms harmful beliefs surrounding disability to those that improve children’s lives. Our vision is for a fully integrated society where people of all abilities have access to health, education, and a loving community.
About This Cause
THE NEED: In many areas of the world, people impacted by disability are considered to be cursed, leading to neglect, abandonment, abuse, rape, and murder. According to the World Health Organization “A billion people in the world, 15% of the population, have a disability severe enough that it limits their participation in family, community and political life." Based on this percentage, there are at least 120,000 children with disabilities in Kilifi County, Kenya where Kupenda’s models their programs for replication in other areas worldwide. Government education office records in this county indicate that only 3,000 children with disabilities are in a school of any kind. Without access to school or education, many of these 117,000 children with disabilities are likely living in neglectful situations with diminished hope for their future. OUR STORY: Kupenda exists in response to the negative stigma and lack of resources for people with disabilities. In 1999, Kupenda's founder and CEO, Cynthia Bauer, visited Kenya as part of her research for a master’s degree in wildlife biology. While there, she learned that she may have been killed if she lived in Kenya, since she was born without her left hand. Cynthia's own life began in the U.S., with loving parents who encouraged and supported her as she lived with her birth defect. When she learned that many children with disabilities did not have this same love or opportunities, she persuaded friends and family to provide educational support for 15 Kenyan children with disabilities. In 2003, Kupenda for the Children became an official nonprofit organization in the U.S. In 2008, it's partner organization in Kenya, "Kuhenza for the Children's Foundation," was also established. This organization was led by Leonard Mbonani, the Kenyan special needs teacher who first introduced Cynthia to children with disabilities in Kenya. Together, these two organizations worked collaboratively to assist children with cognitive, developmental, physical, and sensory disabilities throughout Kilifi County, Kenya and beyond. In addition to paying for children’s school fees, Kupenda purchased hearing aids and wheelchairs, funded surgeries, hired teachers and medical professionals, and provided many other important services. Over time, the organization focused not only on charitable donations from its supporters, but on advocating and partnering with local organizations and government entities to provide for children with disabilities within their communities. HOW KUPENDA WORKS: Kupenda (U.S.) provides funding and programmatic support to Kuhenza (Kenya) to reach children with disabilities in Kilifi County and beyond through education, medical intervention, and advocacy. Education- Educating children with disabilities was the primary driver behind the creation of Kupenda and Kuhenza. Access to school gives children with disabilities the opportunity to discover their full potential. For some, it means they will live independently. Regardless of their situation, however, every child has the capability to learn, whether it results in going to college or simply learning to hold a cup. The education of children with disabilities is funded through Kupenda’s child sponsorship program. Sponsors pay $30 a month towards a specific child with a disability, and they receive updates on his/her progress. This program provides education in the form of school fees and staffing at special schools. Kuhenza also partners with other organizations to construct and improve special needs educational facilities when needed. Medical Intervention- When a child with a disability needs medical attention, they are often brought to Kuhenza’s Resource Center, where arrangements are made for them to get appropriate treatment. This includes facilitating surgeries, follow-up visits, and treatment for sickle cell anemia, epilepsy, congestive issues of children with cerebral palsy, and other sicknesses. Often, Kuhenza will also provide funding for transportation to appropriate medical facilities. At times, the hospital will also reduce their fees due to the poverty of the parents and the reputation of the organization. Finally, Kuhenza partners with other organizations and government entities to improve and construct medical facilities for children with disabilities. Advocacy- Advocacy is essential to the success of children with disabilities in Kenya. Since the greatest barrier to providing assistance is a lack of awareness, the largest percentage of Kupenda’s expenses is committed to areas and activities that educate communities about disabilities. These activities include outreach to the public, other organizations, government entities, churches, other religious leaders, and families. Costs include materials, transportation, and facilitation of staff and volunteers that are responsible for workshops, trainings, teachings, counseling, preaching, and relationship building with key members of the community. Those involved in the aforementioned activities take actions such as building wheelchair ramps, connecting children with disabilities to care and education, visiting children with disabilities in their homes, establishing special needs classrooms in their communities, donating resources & raising funds, creating inclusive legislation, and dramatically changing the culture regarding views of disabilities. When community leaders have a better understanding of the issues impacting people with disabilities, they provide innovative strategies to make their communities more inclusive. Kupenda and Kuhenza continue to improve and expand their model of local empowerment to make a more inclusive community for children with disabilities in Kilifi County, Kenya and in a number of other countries where they are gaining global interest.